Decoding the Rogue’s Arsenal: Choosing Your Sneak Attack Target

Yes, absolutely! In Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (D&D 5e), the Rogue can choose which hit to apply their Sneak Attack damage to, provided the attack meets all the necessary conditions. This tactical flexibility is a core element of the Rogue’s playstyle, allowing for strategic decision-making in combat. This article will comprehensively explain the nuances of selecting your Sneak Attack and clarify common questions regarding this powerful ability.

Understanding the Core Mechanics

The Sneak Attack feature is the Rogue’s bread and butter, providing a significant damage boost to one attack per turn. However, it’s not just a matter of dealing extra damage; it’s about applying that damage intelligently. Here’s a breakdown of the key requirements:

• Once Per Turn: You can only apply Sneak Attack damage once per turn, regardless of how many attacks you make.

• Finesse or Ranged Weapon: The attack must be made with a finesse weapon (like a dagger, rapier, or shortsword) or a ranged weapon (like a shortbow or longbow).

• Advantage or Help: You need advantage on the attack roll, OR another enemy of the target must be within 5 feet of it, that enemy isn’t incapacitated, and you don’t have disadvantage on the attack roll. This “ally proximity” condition is often referred to as “having an ally threatening the target.”

• Choosing the Hit: This is the crucial part! If you have multiple attacks in a turn (perhaps due to the Haste spell or a specific class feature), and multiple of those attacks hit and meet the other criteria, you choose which of those hits gets the Sneak Attack damage.

Why the Choice Matters

The ability to choose which hit gets Sneak Attack provides several tactical advantages:

• Critical Hits: You might choose to apply Sneak Attack to an attack that is also a critical hit, doubling the Sneak Attack dice along with the weapon’s damage dice for maximum impact.

• Overcoming Resistances: If a target is resistant or immune to the damage type of your weapon, you might choose a different attack that deals a more effective damage type.

• Focusing Down Enemies: If one enemy is closer to being defeated than another, you might apply Sneak Attack to the attack against that enemy to finish them off quickly.

• Situational Awareness: The flow of battle is dynamic. You might initially plan to apply Sneak Attack to one attack, but a change in circumstances (such as an enemy being debuffed or another ally entering the fray) might make a different attack a better choice.

House Rules and Variant Interpretations

While the rules as written (RAW) clearly allow you to choose, some Dungeon Masters (DMs) might implement house rules. A common one is to declare which attack will receive Sneak Attack before making any attack rolls. This can streamline gameplay but removes the tactical decision-making aspect. It’s always best to clarify with your DM before assuming you can choose after the rolls.

FAQs: Delving Deeper into Sneak Attack

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the rules and nuances of Sneak Attack:

1. Can you choose which hit to apply the sneak attack damage to?

Yes, provided that the chosen attack meets all the necessary conditions (finesse/ranged weapon, advantage or ally proximity, and no disadvantage). You declare which hit gets the bonus after the attacks have been made.

2. What are the rules for sneak attack?

The core rules are: one Sneak Attack per turn, finesse or ranged weapon, advantage on the attack roll or an ally within 5ft of the target who isn’t incapacitated and you don’t have disadvantage, and the target must be a creature.

3. Does sneak attack apply to both attacks?

No. You get a chance to add sneak attack damage only once per turn.

4. Can you only do sneak attack once per turn?

Yes, the Sneak Attack description specifies that you can use the feature once per turn, but it’s not limited to your turn. You can trigger Sneak Attack on another creature’s turn if the opportunity arises (e.g., through an opportunity attack).

5. Does sneak attack have to be the first hit?

No, you can choose when to apply the sneak attack damage. It’s not automatically on the first hit.

6. Do I get sneak attack if I have advantage and disadvantage?

No. If you have both advantage and disadvantage, they cancel each other out, and you roll a single d20. You would then need an ally within 5 feet of the target who is not incapacitated in order to apply Sneak Attack.

7. Can you sneak attack without finesse?

No. A prerequisite for getting to do sneak attack damage is using a finesse or a ranged weapon when doing so.

8. Can you sneak attack with both advantage and disadvantage?

No, if you have both advantage and disadvantage on the attack roll, they cancel out. You only get Sneak Attack if you have advantage or a qualifying ally nearby.

9. Do you double sneak attack dice?

Yes, if you score a critical hit with an attack that also qualifies for Sneak Attack, you double all the damage dice, including the Sneak Attack dice.

10. Can you hide and sneak attack in the same turn?

Yes, you can. You can use your action to Hide, and then if successful, make an attack with advantage on the same turn. This attack can then qualify for Sneak Attack damage.

11. Can you use sneak attack on thrown weapons?

Yes, as long as the thrown weapon has the finesse property, such as a dagger, you can apply Sneak Attack damage to the attack.

12. Is sneak attack always advantage?

No. You don’t need advantage to sneak attack. You can also sneak attack if another enemy of the target is within 5 feet of it, that enemy isn’t incapacitated, and you don’t have disadvantage on the attack roll.

13. Can you sneak attack with fists?

No. The Sneak Attack feature works with a weapon that has the finesse or ranged property. An unarmed strike isn’t a weapon, so it doesn’t qualify.

14. Does Savage attacker affect sneak attack?

No, Savage Attacker (PHB, p. 169) rerolls do not allow rerolling of Sneak Attack damage: “you can reroll the weapon’s damage dice and use either total.” The Sneak Attack feature represents the rogue’s ability to target and do extra damage but it does not represent the true weapon damage itself.

15. Do spell attacks trigger sneak attack?

Yes, some spell attacks can trigger sneak attack. Any spell that requires an attack roll and utilizes a weapon (if needed for the spell) that has the finesse or ranged property can be used to sneak attack, assuming the target meets the other requirements.

Mastering the Shadows

Understanding and effectively utilizing the ability to choose which attack gets Sneak Attack is crucial for any Rogue player. It allows for tactical flexibility, maximizes damage output, and enhances the overall enjoyment of playing this iconic class. Remember to communicate clearly with your DM about any house rules or interpretations to ensure a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience. Remember that understanding game mechanics can be deepened by resources like the Games Learning Society, who use games as tools for education and research. Visit them at GamesLearningSociety.org. Become a master of the shadows and strike precisely where it hurts the most!